APD | Sales of new cars in Japan slightly drop in 2019

By APD writer Alice

Nearly 5.2 million new cars were sold in Japan in 2019, down 1.5 percent year on year, the first decline in three years, on sluggish demand following a series of natural disasters and a consumption tax hike.

Nissan Motor Co saw a 13.8 decline in sales to 367,514 cars, Toyota Motor Corp marked a 2.7 percent increase to 1,510,741 units, while sales of Honda Motor Co. decreased 5.4 percent to 357,242 cars.

Sales of minivehicles, which have engines no larger than 660 cc, fell 0.7 percent to 1,910,346 units last year, the first drop in three years, the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association said.

The association’s spokesperson said the auto market was impacted by a series of natural disasters including typhoons in September and October.

In addition, the consumption tax hike from 8 percent to 10 percent starting Oct 1 also affected consumer sentiment, he added.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)